RECOMPENSED

We walked for thirty-four minutes and decided to rest a little. The night was cold, and I could feel the weariness in my feet.

Where we decided to take a rest was an old ranch. I believe it had been moved to a new location or probably, everything died, including the owner. We found an old storehouse where I presumed grains and other animal feed were stored. The place looked old and rusty, with cobwebs taking a huge portion of the ceiling. The place had old chairs, about seven of them. There, James and my father arranged some dry wood to make a fire.

While James was busy preparing the meal - the bear James had carried, everyone else sat comfortably on the chairs. I shared with my sister the snacks I had retrieved from James' apartment.

"You didn't mention it would take a decade before we get home," my uncle began.

"And you didn't mention you were going to be in town," Mrs. May countered.

"My visits are spontaneous," my uncle revealed. "I come when I wish and leave when I want to."

"How's Deborah?"

"She's fine. Probably better now when I'm not around."

"Did you inform her that you would werewolf hunt when you were in town?"

"A wife doesn't have to know everything about her husband. That's how to stay formidable," my uncle answered. "How's your husband?"

"Fine," Mrs. May answered. "He went out of town."

"Is he still trying to climb the corporate ladder?"

"No. He sells cars now."

"That's great. John would get one from him. At least that's compensation for almost letting you get killed in the woods."

"Adam, you're helping," my father chimed in.

"Times like this remind me of when my team and I had to rescue a whole village from a terrorist attack. We encamped around the village at night and strategized our move into an old warehouse," my uncle sighed.

"What happened? Were you able to save the village?" Emma asked.

"We saved the kids, not the parents," my uncle answered, sighing. "The group was busy testing a serum and had to use the adults as lab rats. The ones who didn't conform were shot to death. It all happened in one night. Just one night."

I could sense the pain in my uncle's voice. I've known him for years, and I've never seen him so open before. When my sister and I stayed with him, he was like a sealed book. He only gave us instructions, not tell us a thing about his past. His time in the army made him emotionally scarred.

"We need more wood," James expressed.

"I'll go get some," I volunteered.

"Emma, go with her. Take a gun with you," my father instructed.

Emma nodded and placed her pistol on her bed. I took a flashlight.

Our walk outside was visited by a rush of cold wind; one that made me shiver. We walked towards the old stead and gathered some woods.

"Do you think we're going to survive this?" I asked.

"No one's dying, Emily. We all get home safely," my sister answered. "James, there's something weird about him."

"Why did you say so?"

"No sensible human lives in the woods. The weapons he gave to you and your uncle are highly sophisticated. Only an assassin can possess so many weapons."

"I thought about that too. He also mentioned that he lost his daughter to the Alpha. But how did he know that when he went to pay for a fuel refill? Wolves don't attack fuel depots. How did he know that the wolves were having a special ritual?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"When we were surrounded, the wolves kept coming even when we opened fire on them."

"He carried the bear for over thirty minutes and never complained of weariness."

I blinked and said, "We've had a werewolf in our midst all this time."

"Jesus Christ," my sister said, running back to the storehouse. I joined her in her frantic race and stormed the storehouse with our presence.

"What in the world are you?" my sister gave James a defiant look, aiming a gun at his forehead.

My uncle rose to his feet and asked, "Emma, is everything alright?"

"Why don't we ask James over here," my sister replied.

"His stories don't add up. He said his daughter was killed in a fuel depot, but you and I know wolves don't leave the woods so easily. The wolves kept coming when we were with you," I said.

"We've been with a werewolf all this time," Inspector May rose to her feet.

"What are you all talking about? Are you out of your mind?" James questioned. "If I was a werewolf, why didn't I join the others in attacking you? Why haven't I killed you all since?"

"Probably because you need our help to keep you alive. The wolves aren't against us but you," my father dropped the knife he was using to roast the bear.

"This is ridiculous," James turned to my uncle. "Adam, are you seriously going to believe two delusional kids?"

"Those two delusional kids are my nieces," my uncle cocked his rifle.

The room was brought to an unusual silence when we heard the snarling of wolves.

"Great! Everything is just great!" Mrs. May exclaimed.

"Gear up, everyone," my dad commanded.

Everyone, except James, quickly got equipped with firearms.

"Raise your hands and face the door!" my sister yelled at James and took his firearms from him.

"These wolves are going to kill us all if you don't let me get a gun!" James exclaimed.

"We would rather take our chances," I said.

Everyone aimed at the door. In a moment, we were greeted by a fearful sight - an angry pack of ten wolves with the Alpha in the middle.

"Jesus Christ!" Mrs. May swallowed. "I never thought I would be killed by werewolves."

"No one's going to die," my uncle cocked his gun and pushed James forward. "We have who you need; we mean you no harm."

"No harm? Do you know how many you've killed tonight?" Mrs. May whispered.

"Go meet your pack, moron," my father shouted at James.

James nestled close to the pack and fell on his knees. My uncle took three steps back.

"What's happening? Why aren't they moving?" I asked.

"I have no idea," Emma responded.

James glanced back, and I saw his eyes glow red.

"Uncle!" I called out.

James morphed into a large black werewolf, swept my uncle off his feet, and dislodged every one of their weapons. My father slammed his back on the wall when it gored him. My sister tried to get the wolf by its back but she was hit in her stomach with its large foot. Mrs. May tried to pick up a gun, but she was swept off her feet. I was the only one left standing.

James morphed back into a human form with long claws and slowly walked towards me with glowing red eyes. Afraid, I slowly drifted backward until I fell on my feet. The pack was just enjoying the view.

"You, betrayer! I let you into my home. I offered you food, ammo, and even comfort but what do I get in return? Firearms to my face. If I don't kill anyone here today, I'll kill you," James growled. "Yes, you were right; I never had any daughter. I killed a fellow werewolf in my pack because he wanted to expose my deeds. The pack found out and tried to kill me. I traveled here to seek refuge, but they found out. Since they can't trespass in another's pack territory, they sent a message to Westify to begin my execution. Now, you've exposed me. You'll go to the... "

My uncle shot James in the leg, and while he was groaning in pain, I quickly picked up a gun and ended his existence by shooting his forehead.

When the Alpha saw that James was dead, it turned back and returned to its abode. The other pack members followed suit. I sighed and laid on the ground like everyone else.